GCF Hays

Life Group Questions

1. We are four weeks into the "Joy Ride" series. Have these biblical truths caused your joy to increase and how?

2. What does Philippians 1:21 (“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”) mean to you personally after hearing Sunday’s message?

3. Have you ever found yourself believing in or repeating any of the below philosophies on death?
• Universalism
• Annihilationism
• Second Chance (reincarnation or purgatory)
• Soul Sleep

How has this message changed your understanding, or reaffirmed your thinking?

4. Paul says, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”. Do you fear death? If not, why not? And if yes, why so?

Life Group Questions

Key Thought: There is a way to suffer for a Christian so that our suffering is purposeful and not purposeless.

1. What is the main thing you got out of Sunday’s message?

2. Share an example from your life where you suffered in a way that was purposeless. In other words, you didn’t allow God to do something good in you or through you when you went through that period.

3. Share an example from your life where you suffered in a way that was purposeful. In other words, through that suffering, you ended up loving Jesus more, or you became more humble, patient, kind, and compassionate (more Christ-like).

4. Share an example from your life where you personally witnessed a Christian going through suffering, and they went through it in such a way that it powerfully impacted your life.

5. How will you handle suffering differently in your life after Sunday’s message?

Life Group Questions

Key Verse: Philippians 1:3-6 – “I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

1. What’s your single biggest takeaway for you personally from this teaching?

2. What are some practical ways that you combat loneliness when you’ve experienced this in your life?

3. Pastor Matt made this statement on Sunday: “Joy is not so much an emotion, as it is a lifestyle.” Do you agree? What’s the practical interpretation of this in your life?

4. Another statement that was made on Sunday was, “Nothing in your life – not even the darkest, most difficult, or painful situation – is without purpose.” What does this mean to you personally? (Hint: everything becomes an opportunity for the Gospel!)

Life Group Questions

1. Take a minute, and define what the word “joy” means to you personally.

2. During Sunday’s message, we talked about the 4 P’s that culture offers to us in our pursuit of happiness: Processes, Possessions, Places, and People. Which of these avenues have you tried over the years, only to find they didn’t bring true joy in life?

3. Do you really and truly see yourself as a saint, as God’s word declares about you? Why or why not?

4. Pastor Ryan made the statement on Sunday that “slavery to Jesus Christ is the answer to true freedom.” How does this statement strike you? Are you living your life today “chained” to Him, as your true Master?

LG questions for 4/13:
1. Be honest...is this a "word of wisdom" that you told people? That you believed?
2. How did this message impact you?
3. Why does God allow you to be overwhelmed? Explain.
4. When someone is overwhelmed, how can you best encourage them?
5. Do you rely on your Holy Spotter? How?